This was a charming read, with something of a "Mary Poppins meets Bridgerton" vibe going onto it. Especially of note is Xavier, the love interest, because he was specifically neurodivergent coded, and it felt refreshing to have a character with these traits, and handled in a manner that felt very appropriate to the period: ie, considered odd and maligned by his relatives. This could have been amped up a little more, because the traits did feel more like idiosyncrasies than features that would actually determine whether someone was considered "fit for society", but the author's portrayal felt respectful.

Emmeline was a delight - the sunshine to his grumpy reservedness, and the children - especially Harry - were a lot of fun. I did enjoy the mystery around the tampering - although I did feel that the truth could have been delivered in a less direct manner. It would've been fun if it involved a little more detective work. Aside from that, my only other complaint was that the intimate scene occurred right in the middle of the action; I was more interested in finding out what sort of sabotage the insiders had in mind rather than reading about bedroom funtimes - and thus ended up skimming it to get back into the actual drama.

Overall, a fun read. It also led me onto a bit of a wiki-dive, as I investigated the authenticity of having plasters in the 1850s (and discovered sticking plasters were invented in 1920), and golden syrup (which was invented in 1883). Author was completely accurate with baking powder though - it was first created in 1843 by Alfred Bird, as an alternative to yeast, as his wife was allergic.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for providing a digital copy to review*

This book is for those who grew up loving Mary Poppins and are now obsessed with Bridgerton. He’s a lord with a particular interest and who finds it difficult to socalise with other people. She’s a Parasol Nanny (not just a regular nanny) who is in charge of caring for his three wards. While they shouldn’t be anything more, they kept getting drawn to each other.

So this is like a forbidden romance. It’s set during the Victorian period, so any kind of relationship between a Lord and a servant is a big no no. But of course, that's what makes it so much better. It’s dual POV, and I loved seeing how both Xavier and Emmeline were trying to fight their attraction to each other but eventually needed to give in. While they both tried to act proper, there were times when they got extremely flirty, which just made me kick my feet. It did feel a bit insta-love, which I’m not generally a fan of, but I did enjoy seeing their romance develop.

Both characters felt well-rounded, and I really resonated with Xavier. He is ostracized by the society he lives in, with them viewing him as strange and mad. He’s generally not comfortable around people and doesn’t know how to socialise. These are things I often struggle with, and it was nice seeing him find someone with whom he could connect.

With Mary Poppins, I always had the question of how is she doing all of this magic? Well, in this story, we have an explanation. I loved this interpretation and found all the little spells Emmeline does so cool.

This is just a charming and magical cosy romance that is just something fun to read. Cause sometimes we just really need it.

📚 Book Review: The Nanny’s Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes by Amy Rose Bennett

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | NetGalley ARC | Historical Fantasy Romance

A magical nanny, a tea-hating duke, and children named Harry, Barry and Gary? Count me in.

I’ve read and enjoyed Amy Rose Bennett’s historical romances before, but this one takes a delightful detour into romantic fantasy territory—with a generous sprinkle of humour and a touch of Dangerous Damsels à la India Holton. If you’re a fan of tongue-in-cheek narratives, magical mayhem, and strong heroines with slightly chaotic tendencies, you’re in for a good time.

👒 Enter Emmeline Chase:

A graduate of the Parasol Academy for Exceptional Nannies and Governesses (yes, it’s as fabulous as it sounds), Emmeline isn’t exactly the Academy’s most conventional alum. With her teleportation mishaps, street smarts, and a flair for colourful language, she’s not your average prim-and-proper childminder. But what she lacks in polish, she makes up for in heart, loyalty, and just the right amount of magical (and martial arts) intervention.

🕰️ Enter the Duke of St Lawrence:

Xavier, our tea-averse horologist (yes, I was suspicious of him too—what duke doesn’t like tea?), is tasked with looking after his three unruly young wards while juggling a top-secret assignment. Emmeline’s sudden arrival throws a spanner in his precisely timed works, but despite the chaos she brings, he finds himself drawn to her—possibly against his better judgement.

🥄 Vibes & Voice:

The tone is rollicking and fun, complete with cheeky chapter headings and a narrative voice that occasionally leans into parody. Think Monty Python meets Mary Poppins—if Mary Poppins had teleportation issues, and bloody good right hook. It’s a departure from Bennett’s usual style, and while I didn’t dislike it, it occasionally tipped a little too far into farce for my taste. Still, it was entertaining throughout.

💘 The Romance:

Slow-burn, with a hefty dose of mutual bafflement and unresolved tension. The attraction between Xavier and Emmeline doesn’t properly simmer until about halfway through, and while the romance isn’t the main focus for the first half, it pays off eventually. I also appreciated the sensitive portrayal of Xavier’s neurodivergence and Emmeline’s unshakable loyalty, especially to the children and her family.

👶 Speaking of the Kids:

Absolute standouts. Harriet, Bartholomew (Barry), and Gareth (Gary) are chaotic, clever, and endearing—Harriet in particular, who is also neurodivergent, is handled with care and nuance. The found-family vibe really shines here, and honestly, I’d read a sequel about other magical nanny misadventures.

🕵️‍♀️ Bonus Mystery Plot:

There’s a sabotage subplot, magical intrigue, and important clocks at stake, but it all meshes pretty well with the domestic mayhem. Plot-wise, there’s a lot going on, which does pull some attention away from the romance, but adds a layer of fun and pace to the story.

Final Thoughts:

Charming, chaotic, and cheerfully magical. A touch Monty Python, a touch Enola Holmes, and entirely entertaining. I’d happily read more in this style from Amy Rose Bennett.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Need better copy can not read this downloaded edition as it keeps repeating itself. Can a new copy please be loaded. No rating.

'The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes' is such a fun Victorian era romance! Emmeline Chase is a certified Parasol Academy nanny which gives her access to some of the Fae's magic. After accidentally teleporting onto his roof, she is employed by the Duke of St. Lawrence to care for his wards: his three lively orphaned cousins.
I absolutely adored Harry, Gary, and Barry, and loved getting to know them and seeing their relationship with Emmeline and Xavier grow over time. I would have liked to see more mischief from them after Emmeline got the job, but they were still delightful additions to the story.
The romance between Emmeline and the Duke was really sweet and I enjoyed seeing them open up to each other, as well as the tension due to the complication of their jobs and Xavier's title.
I also really loved the representation of Xavier as an autistic person in a time where they were not understood. It was lovely to see Xavier learn to accept his differences as part of him, rather than seeing himself as 'mad' and 'difficult' like he was raised to believe.

The Nanny's Handbook to Magic and Managing Difficult Dukes was a delightful tale that blended the magic of Mary Poppins with historical romance. Emmeline and Xavier were both delightful characters and I was happy to get behind both of them right from the start, both as individuals and as a pairing. The story was engaging and moved at a good pace throughout, leading to a satisfying conclusion. The magical elements were well handled and nicely explained, but the show was stolen by a certain witty bird (as you will see if you read the book). Overall, an extremely enjoyable read that kept me entertained. I would certainly read more from this author in the future. I am giving this book 4.5 stars.